Applicants who file for adjustment of status to get their green card in the United States must usually appear for an interview at an office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is not rare that people do not get this interview seriously and ruin their chance to obtain a green card just because they haven’t followed the preparation steps.
10 Scenarios of People Who Made Mistakes
1. You haven’t brought the right things to the interview
A list of required items you need to bring with yourself at the interview. USCIS will mail this list before your date, but also, you can include more documents that find useful for your case. If you miss bringing all of the needed documentation, it causes a delay of weeks or even months.
2. You forgot to bring original documents
When you filed your application package, you have submitted copies of documentation to USCIS. USCIS now wants to check the originals and compare it to what you have previously sent.
3. You forgot to bring documents updating your life situation
If anything in your life has changed, for example, you got a different job, you will need to bring documents proving that fact. It also applies to the thing that you think might hurt your application, such as recent arrests. In this case, it is a good idea to consult a lawyer before coming to the interview.
4. You didn’t bring a competent interpreter
Be honest about how good your English skills are. If you think that you will not be able to answer all of the officer’s questions or provide a detailed description of specific events, you need to consider bringing the interpreter. This way, you will avoid misunderstanding some questions or the officer misunderstand your answers.
5. You didn’t bring translations for foreign-language documents
Any foreign language documents that you bring, such as birth certificates from other countries, must be fully translated into English. Moreover, make sure to accompany this document with a statement from the interpreter stating that the written information is correct.
6. You said inappropriate things at the interview
You need to listen carefully to the USCIS officer’s questions. Failing to do so, you can say things that can negatively affect your case. Moreover, you shouldn’t try to make something up just because the reality doesn’t sound good enough. There are many ways of how the interviewing officer can find out.
7. You were saying too much
Remember that you should only answer the questions you were asked. You shouldn’t offer any more information that they need from you. Whatsoever, given some information might be risky and lead to a misunderstanding or make the USCIS officer open new questions, getting you into trouble.
8. You were creating the wrong impression about staying in the United States
When you applied for a nonimmigrant visa, what were your thought about life in the United States? Did you want to use a chance and visit, work, or study in the United States, or have you had the idea of staying there misusing the visa you were issued? You may be asked about your previous visa process, the type of it, as well as reasons you wanted to come to the United States. Now, try to make clear why you chose to stay there.
9. You were saying you told the truth on your visa application, while some of the information was false.
The interviewing officer will ask you about the information you provided in the application for other visas you used to enter the United States. Be honest because the USCIS officer probably already has a copy of your application.
10. You failed to tell the truth about criminal matters
If you have had any arrests or similar criminal problems, you will need to bring it up at the interview. Again, the officer probably already obtained your criminal record, so this is your chance to admit it and be clear about the situation.
